Coal sampling

Abstract

The specification discloses portable coal sampling apparatus including an enclosure, a primary sample receiving hopper, a primary sample crusher arranged to receive coal from the hopper and deliver crushed coal to the enclosure, and a secondary sample collector within the enclosure.

We claim: 
     
       1. Sampling apparatus for coal and the like comprising a housing surrounding and enclosing a space, a primary sample crusher mounted adjacent the housing, a receiving hopper for coal and the like positioned to receive coal and the like outside the housing and to supply coal and the like to the primary crusher, a discharge from the primary crusher disposed to deliver crushed material within the housing, a conveyor belt within the housing, the conveyor being positioned below the primary crusher discharge to receive crushed material therefrom and to convey the crushed material to the end of the belt for free fall within the housing, a swingable arm located within the housing and positioned adjacent the end of the conveyor belt from which material is delivered, a sample container holder on the swingable arm, a sample container mounted in the holder, said arm and sample container being positioned for movement of the sample container across and through a stream of material falling from the end of the conveyor belt, drive means in driving relationship to both the conveyor belt and the swingable arm whereby the swingable arm is driven in fixed relation to the speed of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       2. The coal sampling apparatus of claim 1 having conveyer means for removal of crushed coal from the bottom of the enclosure. 
     
     
       3. The coal sampling apparatus of claim 1 having a movable gate operable to controllably restrict flow of coal from the primary sample receiving hopper to the primary sample crusher. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the enclosed space is provided with access door means and interlock means which stop sampling when the access door means are open.